Central African Republic: four blue helmets of French nationality arrested in Bangui

A Minusca vehicle patrols Bangui on December 22, 2020. AFP - ALEXIS HUGUET

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In the Central African Republic four French soldiers from the Minusca, the UN mission in the Central African Republic were arrested by the gendarmerie, this Monday, February 21, 2022, at the end of the day at Bangui airport.

Immediately, their images were broadcast on social networks accompanied by accusations of " 

" of the Central African president.

The French Embassy and the UN denounce an operation of "

 ".

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With our correspondent in Bangui

,

General Marchenoir, Chief of Staff of the Minusca, had barely taken off for Paris when four French soldiers from his close guard were arrested and then taken aboard a gendarmerie vehicle.

Bangui airport was then under close surveillance, as President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's plane, returning from a visit abroad, was due to land any minute now.

The Minusca regrets the incident

In a press release, the Minusca says " 

 " and condemns " 

.

Indeed, images of the four arrested blue helmets, their United Nations badges and their military equipment flooded social networks last night,

dozens of accounts across Africa.

They were accompanied by the comment “

 ”.

Disclaimer of any comments

A version taken up by a reputable news site close to Russian interests in the Central African Republic, but denied by the French Embassy and Minsuca.

The spokesman for the presidency, the government and the general management of the police confirm the arrest, but refuse to comment for the time being.

According to several sources, the four men are still in detention.

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• Central African Republic

• UN

• France